DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA: NOVEMBER 7 EU FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 003489

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/ERA - BISHARAT AND EUR/AGS - VIKMANIS-KELLER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2015

TAGS: EAID PREL KPAL IZ SY EAGR ETRD AU EUN
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA: NOVEMBER 7 EU FOREIGN

MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC)

REF: STATE 198361

Classified By: Economic-Political Counselor Gregory E. Phillips. Reaso

ns: 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) EconPolCouns delivered reftel points to Austrian MFA European Correspondent Andreas Riecken on October 28.


2. (C) Riecken made the following comments on our points:

-- On Iran, there will be a conclusion calling on the need to maintain contact with civil society. The conclusion will refer to the rule of law, and will call for restarting a human rights dialogue. There will also be a focus on the nuclear question.

-- On the Doha Round, the French say they want to talk about WTO, but the long list of agenda items will prevent this from being a major point. The French "want to keep the item alive," Riecken said.

-- On Iraq, there have been new discussions in the council working group, and there will be further discussions in the Political Security Committee. The GAERC is likely to express a "hope" that there will be EU election observers, but this will not take the form of a council decision.

-- Riecken confirmed that there would be no "Western Balkans" point, per se, but only a Kosovo point. There would, however, be a council conclusion (but no discussion) on Bosnia.

-- On ICTY cooperation, Riecken noted that the rapid transfer of Ante Gotovina to the Hague for trial was "also our aim."

-- On the UN Millenium Development Summit, Riecken said there were no plans to discuss Official Development Assistance (ODA) goals, as such. The GAERC discussions would focus on the Peacebuilding Commission, the Human Rights Council, management reform of the UN, the Terrorism Convention, and non-proliferation.

van Voorst